Gary MacDonald - University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, WI

Professor: Gary MacDonald

Department: Fine Arts

College: University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, WI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MCOM110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Gary taught a photojournalism class I took back at Winona State in the 1980's His gruff style and expectations helped prepare me for life in the real world. Will always be grateful.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: APH300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Hands down one of the best teachers I've EVER had. I'm sad he's no longer teaching.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mac is the man...I think he's possibly one of the best story tellers I've met in my lifetime. He is easier to get along with if you can dish back his sarcasm. In my experience, the more you get to know Mac, the cooler he is.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Condescending is the name of the game. Way too abusive to approach or ask for help. Tries to show how "current" he is by referencing Coolio and "grills". I learned his life story (married on a friday, honeymoon on a saturday) before we talked about cameras. When he left after a couple weeks for the semester, turned from my worst to my best class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHO202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mac is great...easy to listen to and learn from. He really knows his stuff and is willing to spend as much time as needed to make sure your photos turn out right.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mac is one of the best professors I've ever had. He's a genius and an amazing photographer. I look up to him greatly.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Really easy going and overall great guy. Chummy and on the level with you. He will pick favorites, but he grades everyone easily so that won't matter. Better to take his class if you're really interested. Gives you all kinds of little tips. One of the best photo profs I've ever had.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: APH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mac is a classy guy. His class is interesting and he will teach you more than just photography. An easy grader and also an easy guy to listen to. Highly recommend his class, but if you hate penny loafers and black courderoy sweaters, stay away.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: APH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mac was a great teacher. Sometimes the classroom work was boring, but the lab stuff was very interesting. He is willing to spend lots of time in the lab with you and show you what to look for. This was one of my favorite classes

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: APH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Comes off as being quite condescending and angry. Will tell the same stories over and over again. Can be tough grading, but if you give him what he wants, its not too bad.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mac is very arrogant and conescending. He is way too conservative and has his obvious favorites. Also,he never wants you to do the darkroom work, he always has to do it for you (this is not our choice). Also, we didn't even start photographing until over a month into the class.I will never reccomend him to anyone.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He comes off as gruff and is often a bit disorganized but is a flexible, understanding guy who truly cares about his students. the course isn't for those who aren't interested in the actual photo making process tho, you have to want to do it...then he's awesome!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHOTOAPPREC
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Awesome! You can really tell that he cares, and you do learn useful things. I would recommend him to anyone

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: APH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I love Mac. He really cares about his students-not just their work, but also about their lives. He is very well rounded and always seems to have and opinion. He is the best teacher I have ever had...no competition.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I'll admit, Mac was VERY intimidating at first, but I learned to love him after the first week. He is very sarcastic, but also very honest and willing to help. He deticates SO much time to helping students in the lab. It is hard to get an A, and there is a lot of outside work required. But it is THE most rewarding class I've taken here in 2 years!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Something about Mac bothered me. I think it was his egotistical air that he knows everything and has so much experience with everything. I enjoyed my time in the dark room and Mac is helpful, but you really have to work hard to get an A. There is a lot of out of class time that needs to be put into this class, so make sure you have time to spare.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: APH202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

super great teacher! he was funny and LOVE to help everyone. he's very sarcastic, but u'll get used to it. take this class, you'll love it!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: APH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

PROS:'Mac's APH 102 is by far the most enjoyable class I've had here over the past 3 yrs! If there was a photo major @ UWL I'd probably switch! Mac is very passionate about life & photography-I truly enjoyed his stories. CONS:He's slow to respond to email; APH 102 over j-term is too short!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: APH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

great professor, makes class hard not to sleep though during slides though...

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: APH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is an excellent professor and is the only reason i would consider staying at lax